Some might label Collagetastic as just another collage-maker for iOS and leave it at that, but actually, this photo editor has got the kind of finesse and uniqueness that is rare in other photo apps. For one thing, the effects offered by Collagetastic are pretty amazing, and there are a lot of them. Other than that, you can choose any layout for the collage you are creating, and there is the option to import photos to the app directly from your Facebook, Picasa, Flickr or Instagram accounts. The collages created via Collagetastic can be sent to your loved ones as postcards, thanks to the app’s integration with Sincerely (a service that prints and delivers personalized cards).

To get started, hit the Add button located in the bottom bar of the app’s main screen. The add menu contains options to let you snap a photo from the camera and import it directly to the app, or you can choose to add an existing photo to Collagetastic. Other options in the same menu include Add Frame and background selection. The ability to add frames to photos has to be unlocked via an in-app purchase of $0.99. Most of the background themes are free, but a few require in-app purchases of their own. Once you have chosen an appropriate background for your collage, start adding as many photos as you want to Collagetastic. As discussed earlier, the app lets you import photos from the device’s camera roll, as well as from your online accounts. There is no limit to the amount of photos that can be added to a single collage.

After you have added all the photos to the main screen in Collagetastic, it’s time to choose a layout for them. There are many layouts available in the app, and your photos will be adjusted according to your choice automatically. In order to edit a photo, tap it once and hit the edit button. By simply sliding the photo around in its frame, you can select the part of it that will be visible in the collage. Other than that, it is possible to change the color and style of the frame. The editing menu will also let you resize photos, and then there is the amazingly thorough effects menu. Like background themes, there are both free and paid effects in Collagetastic. You can change the intensity of effects using the slider provided at the bottom of the screen.

The share menu in Collagetastic lets you publish photos to your social networks, or you can use the collage as a postcard and send it to anyone via Sincerely for $1.59. The app is itself is available for free, and is optimized for both iPhone and iPad.